§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the ECOFIN Council of 12 July endorsed increased commitments to EIB loans to third countries. [92871]
§ Ms HewittThe ECOFIN Council of 12 July agreed to renew the Community guarantee for EIB lending in third countries for a further seven years from 1 February 2000. The guarantee will cover average annual lending of up to euro 2,630 million during this period. This is an increase on the volume of lending under the existing guarantee which covers an average of approximately euro 2,450 million a year (over a three year period).